NTSB finds no mechanical issues in Pennsylvania midair collision

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions in either aircraft involved in the August 19 midair collision at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, airport.

The accident involved a Cessna 150 private plane and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter. The helicopter was on a training mission, hovering near the runway, when the plane struck it. The pilot of the Cessna, Paul Sokoloski, was killed, while two state police pilots sustained serious injuries.

Because the airport lacks a control tower, pilots must coordinate via a shared radio frequency. Investigators revealed that shortly before the collision, the Cessna pilot asked if he should extend his “downwind” leg to increase space between the aircraft, to which the helicopter instructor replied, “Yes, extend your downwind.” The collision occurred approximately eight seconds after the helicopter moved off the runway.